Members enjoy the fellowship the organization offers at a minimal cost and time commitment. The group meets for lunch on the first Wednesday of every month.
Below is a snapshot of activities enjoyed by the group in the past five years:
For members who enjoy trying international foods and restaurants, a
group gathers to enjoy new venues and restaurants in the Niagara Region;
e.g., microbreweries, bakeries, kitchens of the world
If anyone reading this section knows of speakers, events, tours
or other activities; e.g. bike trails or walking trails using Nordic walking sticks, that might be of interest to members, please inform the NCRA.
Al Unwin,
Member of the United
Nations and Dean of Business, Tourism and Environment at Niagara
College, shared his passion about biological diversity and ecological
restoration.
George Scott
President of Niagara Beeway, presented on the lobbying
to protect bees and shared his passionate advocacy for beekeeping.
Margaret Pickles
Retired Niagara College science professor,
presented a close-up look at the Monarch butterfly, its overwintering
sites, the threats and conservation efforts being done locally and
internationally.
Sherman Zavitz
Niagara Falls Historian, presented on famous folks who visited Niagara Falls.
Naomi O’Brian
Respite Services Manager, Niagara Region, addressed members on “ageism” and attitudes around aging.
Doug Willford
NCRA member, shared highlights of his travels to Australia.
Karen Cummings and Patricia Milne
Shared their book “The
Indispensable Survival Guide to Ontario’s Long Term Health Care System”
and tips to be proactive and prepared.
Peter “Dutch” Van den Berg
Co-ordinator of the Broadcasting, Radio,
Television and Film Program, Niagara College, presented on student
productions, live events, and his unique approach to teaching.
Isabella Bujor
The Giving Bowl of Canada”
Christine Allum
Senior Advisor, Ontario Securities Commission, presented on investor education and fraud prevention.
Alicia Powell
Manager, Conservation Areas Programs, Niagara
Peninsula Conservation Authority, addressed members about our complex
watershed and landscape in Niagara.
Martha Casson
Former VP at Niagara College, presented on alternative housing options.
Al Unwin
Dean of Business, Tourism and Environment, presented on Niagara College’s Commercial Cannabis Production Program.
Margaret Pickles
Shared her travel experience to the Galapagos Islands: The Natural History.
Stu Black, President of NCRA, addressed the group on “Retirement Ain’t What It Used To Be.”
Craig Youdale
Dean, Canadian Food and Wine Institute, shared “The Future of Food and Beverage Education.”
Shawn Black
Member of the Niagara Parks Police High Angle Rescue Team, presented “Rescues From The Falls.”
Sarah Lepp
Graduate from the Environmental Technician Program,
presented on “Students, Farmers and Data – Farming with Technology.”
Bob Martin
of Martin Farms “The Veggie Guy”, addressed members on “Looking for Food in All the Small Places.”
Al Unwin
Member of the United Nations and Dean of Business, Tourism
and Environment, shared with the group his experiences as a member
representing Canada on the United Nations.
Judy Hernder
Presented on behalf of Judy Hernder Essentrics on “Aging Backwards” with member participation
Alex Hall
addressed members on “Cyber-Seniors”
Josh Dayboll
addressed members on work done by Impossible Metals
Canada Inc. on mining undersea metals using robots while safeguarding
the deep-sea ecosystem
Isabella Bujor
of The Lemon Tree, gave a presentation on “The Giving
Bowl of Canada” bringing food, education and medical care to children
of Uganda.
Merritt Island, Welland, followed by a brown bag picnic lunch
St. John’s Conservation Area, Pelham
Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, following by lunch at a local restaurant
Heartland Forest, Niagara Falls, followed by a brown bag picnic lunch
Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hamilton
Port Weller Spit, St. Catharines
Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, Grimsby
Woodend Conservation Area,
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Fort George, Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and Tour of Our Lady of Victoria National Shrine and Basilica, Buffalo
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Vineland
Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo
Royal Botanical Gardens and Rock Gardens, Hamilton
Martin Darwin House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, Buffalo
Hamilton Mum Show, led by Peter Thompstone, our own horticulture specialist
Tour of Canal Street, Port Colborne by Archivist of the Port Colborne Museum
Tour of Cold Break Brewing by Niagara College graduate of the brewing program
Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, St. Catharines
Thorold Community Theatre, Thorold
“How to Build a Christmas Swag” offered by Peter Thompstone, retired horticulturist and professor at Niagara College
Stu Black, will present on strategies for music streaming
Wayne Liebau, of Fonthill, will address members on the upcoming solar eclipse expected in April 2023
Presentation on Osteoporosis
Presentation by Canadian Liver Foundation on Hemachromatosis